fingers whispering softly over the strings
she coaxed forth the lute’s lulling strains
come ye lords, come ye ladies
give an ear to my song
of the maid oft forgotten
in the glittering throng
dukes and duchesses stopped midstep
entranced by the girl’s haunting voice
come ye lords, come ye ladies
hear my tale unfold
of a hero as handsome
as sir tristram of old
he pushed his way through the crowds
piercing eyes bright yet brooding
the prince of the kingdom was fair of face
his lineaments bestow’d with every grace
the land beset by dragons fierce
his sword was swift their hides to pierce
doughty lords at his throne did kneel
he from fair ladies their hearts did steal
yet the one who loved him was a common maid
for her keep in the castle she sang and played
she saw him standing before her
fear evaporated into the calm
she sang of her love for the prince of the land
of the damsels daring who sought his hand
no pleading of hers turned his heart of stone
for the withering warrior was proud to the bone
dark secrets inside his mind he did keep
but for him fresh were the tears she did weep
and the kingdom mourned for the golden-crowned head
who despite his bravery was already dead
he clenched his fists in controlled anger
the veins throbbing at his temple
come ye lords, come ye ladies
for my tale of woe
to its unhappy ending
must now surely go
his eyes caught hers for a moment
holding in them a challenge
come ye lords, come ye ladies
of love the lass died
and as for the prince
he was slain by his pride
her voice dropped to a whisper
crooning the words like a lullaby
come ye lords, come ye ladies
and here ends my song
of the prince and the maiden
and the glittering throng
the last strains wafted through the silence
lords and ladies moved to muteness
the prince stalked haughtily away
whilst through her tears the maiden smiled
